Ride Mechanic - DOWNUNDER 75g - Anti-Friction Balm - TEA TREE OIL based for Endurance Sports

s an tea tree oil antifriction balm for endurance sports.

Downunder is an Australian made product to help endurance athletes reduce the effects of friction and chafing. It is used by endurance triathletes and cyclists and is water resistant, forming a soothing skin coating for long-term protection.  It contains natural plant extracts with well known properties.

SOME PLANT EXTRACTS AND ESSENTIAL OILS ARE KNOWN TO CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION OR SENSITIVITY IN SOME PEOPLE.

DISCONTINUE USE IF SKIN IRRITATION OCCURS AFTER USING DOWNUNDER

SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE IF REQUIRED.

Contains proprietary Fric-off skin lubricant:

Tea tree oil: Distilled from Melaleuca alternifolia leaf which is native to north eastern NSW.  The oil has well known antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Calendula oil:This oil extracted from Marigold flowers has been used to soothe irritations, reduce swelling and promote wound healing.

Vitamin E:Has moisturising and anti-inflammatory actions when applied to the skin.

Rosemary extract:Used for its antimicrobial properties.

Coconut Oil:Skin moisturiser and protectant with wound healing properties.

CLEANING:The more oil, the more likely the anti-friction balm will be to impregnate and bind to the fabric and cause “staining”.  Knicks should be turned inside out and then washed using laundry detergent in normal wash cycle,.  If the padding is heavily stained, and this is causing concern, then use a stain remover like Sard Wonder Soap.  

The recommended cleaning process for the padding after using DOWNUNDER is to turn knicks inside-out then pre-treat the oily areas with a detergent e.g. Sard Wonder Soap imediately after changing out of riding gear.  Leave the detergent to penetrate for a few minutes e.g. while having shower, and then wash the knicks in washing machine with the full dose of washing detergent, as normal. Always follow knicks care instructions. Check fabric after washing. If stain is not completely removed, pre-treat again and re-wash.  It is important to wash thoroughly as concentrated detergents can be skin irritants.

WETSUITS: Many triathletes use a waterproof antifriction cream around the neck of their wetsuit to prevent discomfort and chafing during the swim leg. There is a lot of conjecture about the compatibility of some anti-friction products with wetsuit materials e.g. neoprene, seam-seals etc.  Some say the entire discussion was started as marketing hype by manufacturers of expensive anti-friction products which then positioned themselves as “wetsuit compatible”. 

At Ride Mechanic we believe that the best antifriction products leave a thin, lubricating film between the surfaces where rubbing occurs.  In a swim leg it is vital that the product is waterproof so it doesn’t dissolve and vanish within the first few minutes then leave the surfaces unprotected. Some anti-friction products are not as water-resistant as their users would like to think!

Ride Mechanic recommend using a thin film of Downunder around the neck of the wetsuit for excellent long-lasting waterproof & soothing action. 

During clean-up of the gear soon after the event please ensure that the wetsuit is washed, dried and stored as per the manufacturers recommendations.  Storing a wetsuit dirty, damp and crumpled is not good!  We haven’t tested Downunder on all types of westuit but we do not expect any material incompatibility and so far all feedback is very positive!